PSV vow on yobs

Arsenal have been reassured by PSV Eindhoven that they have tackled the racist yobs who targeted Thierry Henry and his team-mates during their last trip to the Dutch club two years ago.

Following the sickening scenes of racist abuse at last week's England friendly international against Spain in Madrid, fears are growing that football could be preparing for another night of shame in the Netherlands tomorrow.

Arsenal travel to Eindhoven in desperate need of a win to kick start their Champions League campaign. But captain Patrick Vieira has already expressed his concerns over the fixture, saying he expects to get the same treatment they received in the 4-0 victory in September 2002.

Henry was showered with lighters and coins thrown from the crowd in that match.

PSV were fined £13,000 and the match sparked a debate about the possibility of players going on strike during games rather than putting up with abuse. But PSV's head of security, Frank Wijnveld, told Standard Sport today that the club had made great strides since that game.

He said: "We have reorganised our security policy since then. We want to welcome Vieira, Henry and all the Arsenal players back and assure them things will not be the same.

"Arsenal raised the issue with us and we told them about all we have done.

"Things have improved a lot and we do not have those problems any more."

Tomorrow's referee, German Herbert Fandel, said he would not hesitate to take the players off if fans were chanting intolerable racial abuse.

He said: "Racism cannot be tolerated and maybe a last decision is to stop the game."

PSV were warned by UEFA that any future problems would bring more severe punishment.

The Dutch club have banned three of the 2002 ringleaders from their stadium and joined the Football Against Racism in Europe organisation.